A national first-place MTNA winner may not enter again in the same Composition Competition Level (Elementary, Junior, Senior, Young Artist).

The score of each national winner will be kept by MTNA.

A composition may be in any style.

Entrants must have prepared the composition with the teacher listed on the application.

The performance time must not exceed ten (10) minutes.

Only compositions for nine performers or less will be accepted. Electronic realizations of larger scale works are not allowed.

If a composer uses a text: (1) copyrighted text must have a written statement from the copyright holder giving permission to use text or (2) text that is in the public domain must have a statement signed by the student and the teacher indicating this fact.

Compositions for prepared piano are not permitted at the request of competition hosts and piano companies providing instruments.

State and division winners/representatives will advance to the next level of the competition.

If there is only one (1)entrant in a State-level category, there will be NO State Competition. The entrant will be named the State Representative and that composition will advance directly to the Division Competition.

If there is only one (1)entrant in a Division-level category there will be NO Division Competition. The entrant will be named the Division Representative and that composition will advance directly to the National Finals.

If there are seven (7) or fewer entrants nationwide in a category at the state level, those entrants will advance directly to the National Competition.

Primary communication is via e-mail. The application must have e-mail addresses for student, teacher and parents.

Submission Requirements

The application with computer-generated PDF score and MIDI file must be submitted online.

Handwritten scores will not be accepted.

Score Requirements

The PDF should be printable on 8.5 x 11-inch letter-sized paper.

PDF score must be computer generated using music-notation software.

Cover art should not be included.

Measures of the composition must be numbered, preferably at the beginning of each system.

All materials must be labeled with the name of the composition, the name of the student and the level (Elementary, Junior, Senior, Young Artist).

The score must not include teacher name or any reference to school/institution, biography or picture of student.

No change may be made to the manuscript once it has been submitted with the application.

The composer certifies that the composition is an original work, and the score was produced by the composer.

Performance Requirements

The composition of each national composition competition winner must be performed at the appropriate Winners Concert during the MTNA National Conference March 21–25, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Performances must be on the instrument(s) for which the submitted composition was written.

Winners must be present at this concert in order for their compositions to be performed and to receive the monetary award.

Winners must provide their own musicians for this concert, and only live performances are allowed.

Teachers may perform a student's composition at any level.

Audio or video recording and photography of the Winners Concert is strongly discouraged.

Competition financial obligations are the responsibility of the entrant.

If the first-place winner is unable to attend the National Conference and arrange for a live performance of their composition:

the first-place ranking will be retained, but cash awards for student and teacher will be forfeited and

the second-place winner will be given the opportunity to attend the National Conference and have their composition performed.

If the second-place winner accepts this opportunity:

the student will receive the first-place cash award in lieu of the second-place cash award and

that student’s teacher will receive the first-place teacher award.

Competition Agreement

It is the responsibility of the teacher, coach, entrant and parent or guardian to abide by all rules and regulations for the MTNA Student Competitions. Failure to meet this responsibility will make the student ineligible to receive any recognition or awards.